I love analyzing my native language, American English, and helping non-native speakers make sense of it. I've been doing this for fun with friends who speak English as a second language for nearly 30 years. I would like to first thank A.D., C.F. and E.A., and now P.G., for inspiring me to finally write this stuff down!

Friday, March 30, 2012

If people are 'friends with benefits,' it means they are friends who have sex. This implies that there are no strings attached -- neither person intends to get involved romantically. They're friends, but that's it. Well, except for the sex part. The problem with this is that one person usually ends up having feelings for the other, and that usually ends things pretty quickly.

Example:
-So are you two going out, or what?
-Nah! Just friends with benefits!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

'Drop it' is something you say to end the topic of a conversation. Said as a direct command, it's most likely to be said by a parent to a child. Where the power relationship is closer, it is often asked, 'Can't we please just drop it?'

Examples:
-Mom, please can we stay up until 10? It's Saturday...!
-I've already said no, so drop it.

Monday, March 19, 2012

'Walking on eggshells' means that you're being very careful with what you say or do because you feel awkward and don't want to offend or anger the other person. The idea is that eggs are very fragile, so you have to be very careful or you'll break one.

Example:
-I always feel like I'm walking on eggshells when I'm at your parents' house.
-I'm sorry. Once you get to know them better and they get to know you better, it'll be much easier.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A 'hate crime' is a committed against a person because the perpetrator hates them based solely on things such as their race, religion, country of origin or sexual orientation.

Example:
-Do you remember the names Matthew Sheppard and James Byrd, Jr.?
-Yes, they were victims of hate crimes.
-Yes, they were both killed; Matthew because he was gay and James because he was African-American.

Monday, March 12, 2012

A "bleeding-heart liberal' can be used in a derogatory way to describe someone who cares about issues such as peace, the environment, equality, justice and animal rights. However, some so-called 'bleeding-heart liberals' embrace the term.

Example:
-There goes your sister, off to another one of her protests. Bleeding-heart liberal.
-Oh, be quiet, dad! You should respect her for standing up for what she believes in!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

A person who is living 'high on the hog' is someone who living a very comfortable or wealthy life. Sometimes the person can actually afford to do so, and sometimes they are living beyond their means, living on credit cards.

Example:
-Wow, your brother's new house sure is beautiful! He's living high on the hog!
-Yes, he's had some very successful deals at work this past year.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

'Pretty' can be used to compliment a woman's attractive appearance, but it also can use to mean 'rather,' 'kind of' or 'somewhat.' You can use it to lessen a compliment when you don't want to sound overly enthusiastic about someone or something.

Examples:
How do you like your new boss?
-She seems pretty nice, but I don't really know her yet.

-How was the test?
-There were some tough questions, but I think I did pretty well.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

To 'hitchhike' means to travel via car with people you don't know. To do it, you stand on the side of the road and hold out your thumb. When someone stops, you get in. Of course, this can be extremely dangerous, but it is cheap.